Slayer task/Hydras

Hydras
Requirements
Skills										95
Combat level										None
Other										None
Task amounts (extended)
Konar										125-190
Mortimer										150-200 (200-300)
Advanced data
Icon ID										23042

Hydras can be assigned as a slayer task at level 95 Slayer. This is a task exclusive to both Konar quo Maten and Mortimer; the latter requires partial completion of Fallen From Grace.

Mortimer is the best way for players to obtain hydra tasks. Not only does Mortimer assign more on average, he also has various incentives when completing these tasks from him, such as additional kills, increased clue scrolls or superior drop rates. Given the nature of his assignments however, players should try to complete the task accordingly to benefit from the incentive. Mortimer has a small pool of tasks, and coupled with his unique ability for the player to assign themselves appropriately from two or three (after completing 50 tasks with him), means it is very easy to be given hydras from him. Assuming that every task can be offered with two of the normal tasks (which have a weight of 10) are blocked, there is a 4.0% chance for hydras to be offered.

Konar, the original master who could assign hydras, has a huge pool despite having a total lower weight of 250. To get the best possible chance to be given a hydra task, the player must block a lot of other tasks, especially ones that are the same, close to or higher than hers, such as metal dragons, drakes and wyrms (both of which share the same weight as hydra tasks). Because of the larger pool of tasks and traditional slayer assignments, it is harder to get a task from Konar compared to Mortimer, and the only incentive for completing the task from Konar are slayer points and the chance for brimstone keys.

There are two different types of hydras: normal hydras and the Alchemical Hydra, both of which are only found in the Karuulm Slayer Dungeon. The dungeon requires the player to wear Boots of stone, Boots of brimstone or Granite boots to protect themselves from the extreme heat of the dungeon floor, unless the player has completed the Elite Kourend & Kebos Diary.

Hydras start off with a random combat style between ranged and magic at the start of the battle, switching randomly between one and three attacks, regardless if they hit or not. After the first switch they will only switch after three attacks of the same type. If the hydra still persists after roughly 30 seconds (or they are on their 12th attack) into a fight, it will spit poison at three random tiles (one at the player's location, two elsewhere), dealing 4 poison damage every two ticks (or 1 to 2 damage if the player has poison immunity) when the player is standing on one. The initial splat has a 3x3 AoE. It is recommended to start by activating the protection prayer that protects the player against the attack style they have lowest defence towards, typically magic if wearing melee armour or ranged if wearing ranged armour, then switching to the other protection prayer if the hydra starts with an attack of the other style.

Normal hydras additionally have a superior, the Colossal Hydra. These hydras share the same normal attacks, but rather than spitting poison, they launch electricity at the player in a manner similar to that of the lightning phase of the Alchemical Hydra.

A boss variant, the Alchemical Hydra, can be killed in place of normal hydras. This boss has very lucrative commons and players can last a long time in the arena without needing to bank, along with a large health pool meaning lots of experience gained per kill.

In general, if the player is seeking a somewhat fast task with a good chance of getting an imbued heart, players should kill normal hydras, as colossal hydras have the highest drop rate for it, at 1/160. If players are wishing to maximise the most profit or collection log slots, they should kill the boss instead. Ranged is a common option regardless of the route taken, as both have very high Magic levels, making the twisted bow very effective on them, while the distance provided from ranged makes attacks easier to dodge. Dragonbane weapons are a good second option (unless using melee, in which it is the best), though this makes hydra attacks harder to avoid.